This is the second book in the Atonement Camp series and just like the first book it was such a fun, queer and completely unique read! I described the first book, Atonement Camp for Unrepentant Homophobes, as “The Da Vinci Code goes queer in a hilarious and thought-provoking story about an ancient artifact that has the power to change the world, a secret organization with connections into the Vatican and a young pastor who is about to question everything he thought he knew” and most of that applies to the sequel as well. Compared to the first book this sequel has even more of mystery, intrigues, spy plots and secret societies à la Dan Brown. It’s so action-filled with riddles and twists that it kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through!

It was so lovely to be back in the queer world of the campers at the atonement camp and meet all the colorful and compassionate characters that stole my heart in the first book again. It was also lovely to see the former closeted and homophobic young pastor Rick Harris now living a full and happy life as gay in the open. He is even dating a 19-year old hunk named Ryan (even though he secretly hopes to rekindle the romantic relationship with his childhood friend Garrett who he reconnected with at the camp). I must say that I didn’t particularly like the way Rick objectified Ryan, nor their age difference, or the fact that he cheated on him as soon as he got any chance and blamed it on insecurity to justify himself. The way Rick changed his heart on who he loved throughout the book made me like him a little less to be honest. But luckily, the other characters grew on me even more this time, when more of their past struggles and the fierce way that they’d tackled them were portrayed. The campers in this book have become one of my absolute favorite found families!

All in all, this was such an easy, entertaining and action-filled read, with both an intriguing mystery plot and an important message about self-acceptance, inclusivity and everyone’s right to love who their heart desires.

Thank you to Pride Book Tours for the free review copy and tour invitation! All opinions are my own and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

Rating:
3.5 stars rounding up to 4

Get your own copy:
Amazon

​Author info:
Evan J. Corbin

The Da Vinci Code goes queer in this hilarious and thought-provoking story about an ancient artifact that has the power to change the world, a secret organization with connections into the Vatican and a young pastor who is about to question everything he thought he knew. Mostly about himself and his hateful convictions.

Going into this book I didn’t really know what to expect, but it was such a wonderful and entertaining experience! I loved the representation, the slapstick humor and the unique, burlesque and action-filled story. It’s very well written and fast-paced, and deals with a lot of hurtful and serious matters in a humorous yet thought-provoking way.

I’d like to make a trigger warning though about the hurtful homophobic words and behavior of the main character, the young pastor Rick Harris, in the beginning. Rick wasn’t the easiest main character to root for, even though it was clear that his toxic mindset and hateful behavior were sprung from self-loathing drilled into him by his father. But the flashbacks to his pasts made me understand him all the more, and his character really grew on me as the book went along. I also really appreciate the great character growth and how he eventually came to accept himself and start to live his life to the full.

The other colorful and compassionate characters at the camp were all the more easy to love immediately, and I really appreciated how Evan J. Corbin made them feel so real and fleshed out and not stereotypes. Found families is one of my favorite bookish tropes, and Evan J. Corbin certainly delivered on this one!

All in all, this was a highly entertaining, satirical and quirky read that dealt with self-acceptance and self-discovery, homophobia, prejudice and toxic religious beliefs and in a completely unique and refreshing way. Just be aware of the trigger warnings before going into it!

Thank you to Pride Book Tours for the free review copy and book tour invitation! All opinions are my own and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

Rating:
4 stars

Get your own copy:
Amazon

​Author info:
Evan J. Corbin